Electrical receptacle



R. B. BENJAMIN.

ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I9. 1911.

1,328,785, Patented J an. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

III

R. B. BENJAMIN. ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE.

APPLICATION FILED AFR. I9, |917.

l ,$28,785.` I l v Patented J an. 20, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN B. BENJAMIN, OFCHICAGO, ILLIN 01S,v ASSIGNOR T0 BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLI- NCIS.

ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2o, 1920.

Application led April 19, 1917T Serial No. 163,291.

' which the following is a full, clear, concise,

and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to electrical receptacles, and, more speciiically,'to a stand lamp having receptacles for av plurality of lamps and pull switch mechanismfor controlling the lamp circuits..

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a device of ythe character indicated which will be simple in construction, durable and efficient in use, and cheap to manufacture. Further objects will appear from the detailed description to follow and` from the appended. claims. In the drawings, in which one embodiment of my invention is shown- Figure l is a sideelevation of a stand lamp embodying myinvention, parts being broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig.' 2 is avertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; y* f l Fig.- 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3'-3 of Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows; f

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation of -part of the shade-support and :in associated part;

'Figz 5 is a horizontal section on 'theline Fig. 6 is a vertical section substantiallyv on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical'section substantially on the line 7-7 of Figp.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the stand lamp shown comprises a base 10 for resting on any suitablesupport, aztubular upright pedestal or'pos't 11 secured to the.A

suitable material, a plurality of threaded sheet-metal shell contacts 16 (three in 'numlber as'shown) for engagementwith the corresponding con'tacts of lamp bases, a conical sheet-metal member 17 formino a center contact means for engagement wlthl the center contactsy of the lamp bases', and switch mechanism 18 for controlliigthe different lamp circuits. The center contact member 17 is velectrically connected with the bindingplate l2 on 'the upper side of the base by means of a screw 20 (Fig. 6) extending through registering openings in the center Contact member 17 and.' the base 15v and threaded into the binding-plate 19, the screw 20 thus'serving also to'assist in holding the center contact member 17 in place on the base 15. The switch mechanism 18 comprises two rotary make-and-break pull switches 21 and 22, both electrically con nected to the binding terminal 23. The switch 21controls only one of the lamp circuits, while the switch 22 controls the circuits for the other two lamps. these switches 21 and 22 comprises a shaft 24 electrically connected with the bindingplate 23, a switch member 25 '(Fig. 7) rotatably mounted on the shaft 24, a spring contact 26 coperating with the rotatable member 25 to'make and break the c`ircuit',.a lever 27 oscillatively mounted on the shaft 24, a latchet drive 428 between the leve-r 27 and vthe rotatable switch member 25,',whereby thel oscillations of the lever 27 will-cause rotationv of the switch member 25, a `pull chain 29 connected t-o the lever 27 tofoscillate it in one direction, anda coilf torsion spring 30 surrounding the shaft 24 oscillating the lever in the opposite direction.

The rotatable member 25 comprises an insulating portion 31 `and a sheet-metal contact and conductor portion 32 having contacts 33 for engagement with the spring contact, 26 and a conducting portion 34 extending between the contact rportions 33 and engaging the shaft 24 to electrically connect the contact portions 33 with the shaft. -Eachshaft 24 is provided with a laterallyextending upturned end 35, and these ends are electrically connected together by means of a sheet-metal strap 36, the ends of which are wrapped around the upturned ends The shaft 24 of the switch 21 is electrically connected with the binding terminal 23 by -Each of The spring Contact 26 of the switch 22 iselectrically connected with the other two threaded shell contacts byrrneans of a screw 41 electrically connecting the spring contact 26 with one of the threaded shells and an arcuate sheet-metal plate 42. (Figs. 3 and 5)l electrically connecting the two threaded shell contacts. The "sci-ew. 33 extends through registering openings in. the spring contact 26, insulating ibase. 15, ear 39 of the threaded shell contact, and arcuate plate 42,

and'is held in place by means of a nut .43. lhe screw 41 serves to hold one end of the plate 42 in position and assists in holding,

the threaded Shell contact in position. The other end or the plate 42 is held in position by means of ascrew 43a (Figs. 3 and 5) wliichalso extends through the ear `39 of the threaded shell contact to assist in holding this contact in position.

. The upper face of the base 15 is provided with' pivotal recesses 44, 45, 46 and 47 to receive the b indinof terminals 19, 23 and the switch mechanlsms 21 and 22 and associated parts. A flat insulating cover 48 of fiber or other. suitable material is placed' over the insulating base 15 to cover the recesses 44, 45,. 46 and 47 to house the parts located in 'said recesses. The insulating base 15 is provided. with a central vertical opening `49, into which the postll extends and through which. the feed wires 50 are led to the binding-screws 51,52 of the binding-terminals v19, 23.

A cup-shaped sheet-metal housing 53 is provided for the lower part of the receptacle 12 for housing the contacts of .the receptacle. The insulating base 15 and the cupshaped housing 53 are prevented from slipping down on the post 11 by means of a supporting sleeve- 54 (Figs. 1 and 6) surrounding the post 1l, on which the lower central portion of the cup-shaped housing 53 bears. A finishing ring 55 may be inter.- posed between the sleeve 54 and the housing 53, if desired.

' .To prevent the housing 53 from being.

bent or sprung, a sleeve 56, of fiber or other suitable insulating material, may be. placed around the post 11 between the housing 53y and the insulating base 15. The housing 53 is provided with suitablev openings 57 for the pull chains 29. These openings may be formed by cutting out a narrow horizontal strip to form an elongated narrow horizonsmooth guide portions for thel pull chains 70 29. By means of this construction, if the pull on the chain is such as to swing it outwardly away from the post 11, the up-v per lip of the opening 4will form a smooth curved guide for the chain and 4if the pull on the chain is such as to swing it in toward the post the lower lip of the opening will form a smooth curved guide for the chains.

The base 15 is held in position on the post 11 by Ameans of a tubular member 60, the lower edge of which bears against a shoulder 61 of the recess 49, the upper end or' the post 11` being threaded into the .tubular member 60- (Fig. 6). The tubular member 60 and the upper portion of the recess 49 are hexagonal in shape (Fig. 5) so that the tubular member is non-rotatably held in the recess. The tubular member 60 has an open ing 62 in one side, through which the feed. 90 wires 50 are led to-the binding-screws 51, 52 (Fig. 5). An ornamentalv sheet-metal cap or cover 63 is placed over the insulating' base 15 and the insulating cover 48 for housing them. The shade-supporting post 13 is threaded into the upper end of the tubular member 60.

The sl1adesupporting means shown coin- 10G tering ring or cup 64 surrounding the post I 13 and having a flange resting on the, up-

per edge of the sleeve 63a a supporting plate 65 hearing on the sleeve 63, a plurality of radially-extending arms 66 secured to the supporting plate 65, a ring 67 supported by the arms 66, to which an ornamental shade of cloth or other suitable material may be secured, and a nut 63 threaded on the upper end of the post 13 for holding the-parts 1n assembled position. The lower edge of the sleeve 63.*1 rests on the cap 63 and holds it in position. The cap 63 bears against the upper edge of the tubfular lmember 60, wherebythe cap is prevented from being-bent.

For conveniencein handling and to giveI it a finished appearance, the nut 68l is provided with a cup-"shaped sheet-metal cap-69 having its lower edge flanged over (as indi-- cated at 70) beneath the nut68 and having an annular, inwardly-extending bead 71 above the nut forpholdingitin position.

When the lamp is wired, the center contact device 17 is connected with one of the feed wires 50 through the screw 20 and binding terminal 19. The threaded shell contacts of the receptacles are electrically connected with the appropriate feed wire only when the switches 21, 22 are in the proper position to connect them. One of the 130 tact members 33 of the switch 22 are al-N ways electrically connected with the binding terminal 23 through the conducting member j 37 to the binding terminal 23.

' the switch 22 ofi"- and the switch 21 on, one v 34 and shaft 24 of the switch 22, through the sheet-metal strap 36 and the shaft. 2l of the,

switch 21, and through the sheet-metal strap Accordingly, when the switch member 25 of the switch 21 is rotated it alternately makes and breaks the circuit to one of the lamps, and when the switch inember 25 of the switch is rotated the lcircuit of the other two lamps is alternately made and broken. By this construction7 one, two, or three of the lamps may be lighted, as desired. Thus, by turning of the lamps will be lighted; by turning the switch 2l off and the switch 22 on, two of the lamps will -be lighted; and by turning both of the switches on all three of the lamps will be lighted.

The pawl mechanism 28 is so constructed that each actuation of the pull chain 29 will cause a quarter revolution of the switch member 25. This quarter revolution will change the switch from the off to the on position, or vice versa; that is, it will move the contact member 33 out of engage-v ment with the spring contact 26 and permit the spring contact to snap down oil' the rear edge of the contact 33, or it will move the insulating portion, 31 out of engagement with the spring contact 26 and permit the spring contact 26 to snap down oli the insulating portion into engagement with the contact portion 33. l

Vihile I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, it ma bef embodied in other forms coming within the definition of the appended claims.. l

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent stand comprising a vertical'tubular central supporting member under said base, said plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath and bysaid base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, and electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, said base having a central opening through which the feed wires may be led from the lower side of the base to the binding terminals on the upper face.

3. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand 'for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath and by'.` said base, binding termi nals supported on the upper face of said base, and electrical connections from said binding terminalsto the contacts of said receptacles extending throughl said base, said base having a central` opening registering with said tubular member, whereby the feed wires may be led up through said tubular member and opening to the binding terminaison the upper face.

l. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath and byy said base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, electrical connections from said binding terminals to` the contacts of said lreceptacles extending through sa1d base, and a housing for inclosing said base, binding terminals, and the contacts of said receptacles. 4 f

5. An electricstand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp' receptacles supported underneath and by 'said base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of lsaid base, electrical connections from said bind- 110 -ing terminals to the contacts of said recepsaid housing comprising a removable cover extending over the upper face of the base. 6. An electric stand lamp comprising an .insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of'lamp receptacles supported un- 120 derneath and bysaid base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, electrical connections .from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending'through said base, and a re- 125 movable cover extending over the upperface oflthe base for housing the binding termina s. l

7 An electric stand lamp comprisingan insulating base having upper and vlower CII faces, a 4stand for supporting said base, a,

lover the upper tace of the base for housing the binding terminals, and sluide-supporting means comprising a central support extending upwardly from said base through said opening.

8. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath and by said hase, binding terminals supportedjon the upper Jface-of said base, electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, a removable cap having. a central opening therein extending' over the upper face of the base i'or housing the binding terminals, shade-supporting means comprising a central support extending upwardly from sald hase through said opening, and means for holding said cap in place comprising a sleeve surrounding said central support and bearing on said cap and a nut threaded on said central support and bearing on said sleeve.

9. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath and by said base,binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, electrical connections from saidbinding terminals to the contacts ol said' receptacles extending through said base, a removable 4cap having a central opening therein extending over the upper face of the base for housing the binding terminals, shade-supporting inea-ns comprising a central support extending upwardly from said base through said opening, and means for holding said cap in place comprising a sleeve surrounding said central support and bearing on said cap and a nut threaded on said central support and bearing on said sleeve, said shadesupporting means comprisino also a shadesupporting member clamped between said nut and sleeve.

l0. An electric stand lamp 'comprising an insulating base having upper and ylower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lalnp receptacles supported underneath said base, binding terminals supported on theupper face ofrsaid base, electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said' base, said base having a central recess in its upper face, and a tubular internally-threaded member having an opening in its side, non-rotatably mounted in said recess, said base having a' central opening in communication with said recess, said stand comprising a vertical vtubular member extending into said opening andv threaded into said internally-threaded member, whereby the feed wires may be led up through said tubular members and through the opening in said internally-threaded member to the :bindin terminals.

11. An electric sta-n lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a

4plurality of lamp receptacles supported unvand switch mechanism located in said recesses, electrical connections from said binding terminals and switch mechanism to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, and a ilat insulating cover extending across the upper face of said base lor housing said binding terminals and switch mechanism. v

13. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having -upper and lower laces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath and by said base, saidbase having recesses in its upper face, binding terminals in said recesses, electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, and a tlat insulating cogver extending across the upper face oi said hase for housing said binding terminals, said base having a central opening through which the leed wires may be led from the lower side of the hase to the binding terminals.

ist. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower laces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath said base, binding'terminals supported on the upper face of said bgase, and electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, said electrical connections also serving to mechanically hold the contacts on the base.

1 5. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a

tai

insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported'underneath said base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, and electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, said electrical connections l also serving' to mechanically hold the contacts on the base, and comprising screws extending through openings in said base, said lamp contacts comprising threaded shell contacts having integralears through which said screws extend.

17. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a'

plurality of lamp receptacles .supported underneath said base, binding terminals supported r on the upper face of said base, electi-ical connections from said binding terminals to`fthe contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, said base having a centra-l recess in its upper face, a tubular internally-threaded member having an opening in its side, non-rotatably Y mounted in said recess, said base having a central opening in communication with said recess, said stand comprising a vertical .tubular member extending into said opening and threaded into said internally-threaded member, whereby the feed wires J,may be led up through said tubular members and through the opening in said internally-threaded member to the binding terminals,P and shadesupporting means comprising a post screwed into said internally-threaded member and extending above said base,

18. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base havingv upper l and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, r.a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath said base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, said stand comprising a vertical tubular central supporting member under said base, said base aving a centralv opening registering with said tubular member, whereby the feed wires may be led up through said tubular member and opening to the binding terminals on the upper face, andshade-supportmg meanscomprising a Vertical.' member secured to said tubular memberand extending above said base.

19. A switch mechanism comprising an insulating support,two switch devices supported thereby, each comprising a shaft of conducting material and aV rotatable member mounted on said shaft to 'rotate about the axisithercof, a binding terminal electrically connected with oney of said shafts, means electrically connecting said shafts, and means whereby as said rotatable members are rotated the circuits controlled thereby are made and broken.

20. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, a stand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath said base, binding terminals supportedl on the .upper face of said base, electrical connections from 'said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending' through said base., said stand comprising a vertical tubular central supporting member under said base, said base having a central opening registering with said tubular member, whereby the feed wires may be led up through said tubular member and opening to the binding terminals on the upper face, and a housing for inclosing the contacts of thel receptacles comprising a dished sheet-metal member having an vopening through which said tubular member extends.

21. An electric stand lamp comprising an insulating base having upper and lower faces, astand for supporting said base, a plurality of lamp receptacles supported underneath said base, binding terminals supported on the upper face of said base, electrical connections from said binding terminals to the contacts of said receptacles extending through said base, said stand comprising a vertical tubular central supporting member under said base, said base having a central opening registering with said tubular member, whereby the feed wires may be led up through said tubular member and opening to the binding terminals on the upper face, a housing for inclosing the contacts of the receptacles comprising a dished sheet-metal member having an opening through which said tubular member extends, and a spacing sleeve surrounding said tubular member between said sheet-metal member and said base.

22; A pull switch device comprising a pull switch, a flexible pull switch member, and a sheet-metal casingmember having an opening through which said flexible member extends, said casing having' a portion on one 'side of the Vopening adjacent the edge of the opening bent outwardly, and a portion on the opposite side of theopening adjacent the edge bent inwardly, said bent portions providing a smooth bearing for the4 liexible pull member.

23. A pull switch device comprising a pull switch, a flexible pull switch member, and a sheet-metal casing member having an opening through which said flexible member eX- tends, said casing having a portion on one 'bent in and the inwardly-bent portion were bent out until such portions were substantially` in the same plane.

9A. A finishing nut for the upper end of the shade-supporting post of a stand-lamp, comprisingi an annular internally-threaded member for screwing ony the post, and an inverted cup-shaped sheet-metal member having its lower edge flanged over the lower ledge of said annular member., and anl inwardly-extending annular bead above said annular member' 'for holding said annular member in place. y

25. A switch mechanism comprising an insulating support, two switch devices supported thereby, each comprising a shaft of 'conducting ymaterial 'and a rotatable member mounted on said shaft to rotate about the axis thereof, a binding terminal electrically connected with one of said shafts, means electrically connecting said shafts, and means whereby as said rotatable members are rotated the circuit is made and' broken, said shafts having their ends bent to extend laterally with respect to the axis Y base and centrally with respect thereto and having an opening' through which said pedestal extends.

2?. A pedestal lamp comprising an insulating hase having a central opening therethrough, a tubular pedestal for supporting sa-idbase located underneath said base and centrallywith respect thereto, said pedestal having a portion extendinga into said opening, lamp contacts supported by said base, on the lower side thereof, binding-terminals supported by said base on the upper side thereof and accessible to conductors leading through the pedestal and opening, and electrical connection between said binding-terminals and lamp contacts.

28. A pedestal lamp comprising an insulating base, a pedestal for supporting said base located underneath said base and centrally with respect thereto, center lamp contacts supported by said base and located underneath said base, a bowl-shaped housing for said contacts located underneath said base, said bowl-shaped housing having a plurality of openings therein, and shell ,lam-p contacts extending through said openings.

In witness Whereot I have hereunto subscribed my name.

REUBEN B. BENJAMN. 

